Fukuoka: The Fukuoka prefectural police have arrested five additional individuals linked to a Philippines-based Japanese crime ring, known as JP Dragon, following their transfer to Japan. These arrests are in connection with suspected scams and thefts carried out by the group. According to Philippines News Agency, the suspects, including 34-year-old Miyako Iwamoto, were initially detained by Philippine immigration authorities in October 2025. The arrests were subsequently executed by the southwestern Japan police on Tuesday. Investigators have revealed that in December 2022, the five individuals, then members of JP Dragon, impersonated police officers to deceive an elderly woman in Gifu, central Japan. They allegedly defrauded her of 1.4 million yen and stole her cash card. The recent arrests increase the total number of apprehended members and associated individuals to 14. Investigators believe that the crime group has illicitly acquired approximately 900 million yen from around 250 victims across nearly 2 0 prefectures since the fall of 2019. In a related development, Philippine authorities detained the alleged leader of the group, Ryuji Yoshioka, 55, in June 2025. The Fukuoka police have secured an arrest warrant on suspicion of theft and are currently seeking his extradition.